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Member Profile Asha Dooley
Member Profile
Asha Dooley AFDA National Councillor NSW/ACT Senior Vice President
My story into the world of funerals is different to many members of our Association. When I grew up our family wasn’t in the industry, it was only as I was finishing school that Dad (Tom Dooley) entered it, 20 years ago now.
When I was at university in Melbourne, Mum and Dad owned Silver Lining Funerals in Bairnsdale, Victoria and I would help in the office on holidays. It was an eye opener. The first funeral I attended was one of an 8-year-old who died in a car
accident. It was held in the school hall and I was running the DVD. My seat had a direct view of the grieving family and at my feet were all the school children. That was one of the most difficult services that I have ever been to but I saw something in the industry that day – the reward that you get from the connection with the family is unique.
I didn’t join the industry then and there, I needed to spread my wings a little, which I did through my hotel career. I was fortunate enough, through work and study, to live in America, the UK and the Middle East; it was fun, and I loved it, but it wasn’t home. I always wanted to live back in Sydney, so when Mum and Dad bought Blue Mountains Funerals, the decision to come home from Qatar and join the business was an easy one for all of us. Mum decided to take the opportunity to retire and it has been primarily Dad and I since.
In 2013 as I started in the business; we had just bought Grace Funerals in Emu Plains and we were in the process of merging Blue Mountains and Grace together. I was learning, and the business didn’t have any processes or systems in place, so we were busy implementing systems and training staff. It was a busy and stressful time for me, but I learnt so much and the families from those early days are still some that I am most connected to.
My journey into management came quicker than most, thankfully, I was an experienced leader in my previous life as I took over the role as General Manager only 18 months into my role. From day one, meeting families, organising services and conducting came naturally to me and it is still my first love. My greatest learnings have come in people management and recruitment, it is hard, but over time we have learnt, and I can honestly say that our team is our best asset. There are other complexities that come with owning a business that I know you all know about and there have been a lot of lessons learnt there too.
After 7 years in Western Sydney and 8 years in the Blue Mountains, we are still learning, but we are thriving and have really hit our stride, with where we sit in the community and with our amazing team.
The reason that I love this role is the same as many funeral directors. The people: both our team and the families that we serve. Having families come back time and again, or some of our regulars that just come in for a chat is so rewarding. Being able to get actively involved in the community, the AFDA and other groups that I am involved in has been very special to me. I am always looking to grow and learn, and I am sure that my future in the industry will allow me to do this.
By Asha Dooley Grace Funerals T: 02 4735 6900 W: www.gracefunerals.com.au
